John Thaw – MRQE

Armchair Cinema:: Regan (TVE)

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Rough, tough and politically incorrect in the way that only the best 70’s dramas can be, Regan was a pilot film for The Sweeney – one of the major television successes of the last fifty years. Featuring John Thaw as the irascible Detective Inspector Regan and Dennis Waterman as his loyal ‘oppo’ Detective Sergeant Carter, Regan was an immediate critical and ratings hit, resulting in four series of The Sweeney and two successful feature films. Jack Regan is a good copper, but his tough, intuitive style is becoming unfashionable in a Scotland Yard seeking a new image. When a policeman is mysteriously murdered, Regan breaks all the rules to find the killer – but he finds there are men in the Flying Squad prepared to break him.

“Year in Provence, A”

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Annie and Peter Mayle decide, in their own words, to take the plunge: they quit their jobs as a tax investigator and an advertising executive and move to Provence in the south of France. Their experience in their first month go from outstanding to downright puzzling. They adore the food and wine but do encounter amusing cultural barriers from the lengthy discussion every time they go to the butcher, to the plumber who promises to come back but is unseen for the the next month. They also learn that their old friends in England are lining up to visit them in the summer.

The Sign of Four (TV)

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Mary Morstan has received a pearl in the post every year since her father’s disappearance. This leads Holmes and Watson to the truth about a secret pact between four convicts during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

The Waiting Time (TV)

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

When British Intelligence Officer Tracy Barnes attacks visiting German politician Dieter Krause, solicitor’s clerk Joshua Mantle is called to help unravel the events which led to the assault.

Goodnight, Mister Tom (TV)

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

We’re in an English village shortly before Dunkirk. “Mr. Tom” Oakley still broods over the death of his wife and small son while he was away in the navy during WWI, and grief has made him a surly hermit. Now children evacuated from London are overwhelming volunteers to house them. Practically under protest, Mr. Tom takes in a painfully quiet 10-year-old, who gradually reveals big problems.

“Inspector Morse”

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Inspector Morse is a detective drama based on Colin Dexter’s series of Chief Inspector Morse novels. The series starred John Thaw as Chief Inspector Morse and Kevin Whately as Sergeant Lewis, as well as a large cast of notable actors and actresses.

“Thick as Thieves”

Sat, 30 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

British ITV sitcom starring John Thaw and Bob Hoskins as two friends in a love triangle.

“Sweeney, The”

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Jack Regan, an unethical officer of the Flying Squad, uses unorthodox methods to pursue criminals with the help of his partner, George Carter.

Chaplin

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

An aged Charlie Chaplin narrates his life to his autobiography’s editor, including his rise to wealth and comedic fame from poverty, his turbulent personal life and his run-ins with the FBI.

Cry Freedom

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

A dramatic story, based on actual events, about the friendship between two men struggling against apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s. Donald Woods is a white liberal journalist in South Africa who begins to follow the activities of Stephen Biko, a courageous and outspoken black anti-apartheid activist.